Tlaib Re-Elected Vice Chair of Congressional Progressive Caucus for 119th Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. — This week, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced the results of internal leadership elections for the 119th Congress, the seventeenth Congress in the history of the CPC. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) was re-elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Caucus. The new leadership will oversee a Caucus of nearly 100 members with the addition of 9 freshmen from districts across the nation.

Tlaib focuses on delivering policy changes that helps people thrive in our country, while ensuring that the CPC delivers the strongest constituent services programming in Congress.

VIDEO of the press conference here.

The members elected unanimously by their colleagues include:

• Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) as Chair
• Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) as Deputy Chair
• Representative Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04) as Whip
• Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) as Vice Chair
• Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) as Vice Chair 
• Representative Delia Ramirez (IL-03) as Vice Chair
• Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) as Vice Chair
• Representative Lateefah Simon (CA-12) as Vice Chair
• Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) as Vice Chair
• Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10) as Vice Chair
• Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) as Vice Chair
• Representative Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) as Vice Chair
• Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) as Vice Chair

“As Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I will do everything in my power to resist Trump’s extreme agenda, fearmongering, and plans for mass deportation. I will continue to fight for working class people and take on wealth inequality and corporate greed,” said Vice Chair-Elect Rashida Tlaib. “Currently, 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. We haven’t raised the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour in 15 years. Instead of funding endless war, while people in our communities are struggling to afford groceries, housing, and health care here at home, we must invest in working families.”

“The Members of the Progressive Caucus know how to fight billionaires, grifters, and Republican frauds in Congress. Our Caucus will make sure the Democratic Party stands up to corporate interests for working people,” said Chair-Elect Greg Casar. “I’m honored to build on the legacy of Chair Jayapal. I’ve fought back against extremist, egocentric autocrats in Texas for my entire adult life. The Democratic Party must directly take on Trump, and it’ll be CPC Members boldly leading the way and putting working people first.”

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus has always served as an incredible vehicle for transformative change, justice, and movement building,” said Deputy Chair-Elect Ilhan Omar. “I am honored to have the support of my colleagues to serve another term as the Deputy Chair of the Progressive Caucus. Over the next term, we are going to fight to build an inclusive movement that meets the moment.”

“It’s an honor to be elected by my colleagues as the next Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. I am proud to join incoming Chair Casar, Deputy Chair Omar, and all members of the newly elected Executive Board as we prepare for the 119th Congress—in which I believe the role the CPC plays will be more critical than ever,” said Whip-Elect Chuy García. “We are a Caucus that gives platform to ideas deeply popular across the political spectrum, and a Caucus that builds diverse coalitions to get things done. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and partners across the country who believe in people-centered policies rooted in equity and justice for all.”

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and advance civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus has been the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising the minimum wage, eliminating political corruption, bolstering labor protections for working families, and taking swift action to stop the warming of our planet.